Fly-half Anscombe inspired by Wales return

Fly-half Gareth Anscombe says returning to international rugby was a "massive driver" as he was not ready to say goodbye to the Wales jersey.

Anscombe, 33, last played Test rugby when he guided Wales to an historic 40-6 World Cup win against Australia in September 2023.

He was injured in the warm-up for the following game against Georgia and missed the rest of the season which ruled him out of the 2024 Six Nations and summer tour of Australia.

Anscombe has since joined Gloucester and impressed this season to gain a call-up for Wales' autumn series which starts against Fiji on Sunday, 10 November.

"I probably always had in the back of my mind that I could come back for Wales," said Anscombe.

Auckland-born Anscombe has battled back from two long term injuries and was sidelined for two years between 2019 and 2021after suffering a major knee problem.

"You can give up and move on and retire, or fight to get back, and I've always chosen the latter," he said.

"When you've been out for as long as I have and had so many setbacks, you figure out what drives you.

"So even during those times I've been out, I've always felt like I could, if I got myself back to fitness, add something at this level.

"That competitiveness and resilience is enough to believe I can come back and make a difference here. Time will tell in the next few weeks."

Anscombe has been revitalised by his move to Gloucester where he has linked up with Wales half-back partner Tomos Williams.

"When I got to Gloucester it felt like I was meant to be there and it has been refreshing," said Anscombe.

"The most important thing is trying to play consistently, spending time back on the field and keeping myself together.

"It's been nice linking back up with Tommy again, we know each other from our years at Cardiff. He's been outstanding for Gloucester, one of our best players recently and is world class."

With Dan Biggar having retired after the World Cup and Anscombe's injury, Sam Costelow, Ioan Lloyd and Ben Thomas have started the last eight Tests, all of which Wales have lost in 2024.

Costelow and Thomas are the other fly-half options in the November squad.

"My goal is to try and play for Wales again and help bring some experience to this younger side," said Anscombe.

"We've got to get a few wins here and that helps you enjoy what you do.

"We haven't been far away. If we can put in a couple of improved performances that bring wins, suddenly everyone starts relaxing a little bit. Winning is a habit, but so is losing.

"We just need to understand what it takes to win at this level."

Anscombe also believes Wales' backline is returning to the physical size of previous teams created by Gatland.

Anscombe's Gloucester colleague Max Llewellyn and fellow centre options Eddie James and Mason Grady have been included in the squad.

"You can see with the squad Gats has picked we're starting to get some size back," said Anscombe.

"At this level, you need size and power and we probably recently haven't always been blessed with some of the ball-carriers we needed to compete at this level.

"They're starting to pop up now and it feels like we're starting to grow a bit of firepower again.

"Max is one of the best players in the Premiership at the moment, while Eddie is the biggest midfielder I've ever seen in my life.

"So there's some dynamic players and you need to build your team off the back of that. Hopefully, the half-backs can guide them the right way."

Anscombe is looking for a short-term Wales comeback but has not ruled out attempting to try and make the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.

"I had conversations with Gats about that in the last World Cup," said Anscombe.

"Mentally, I don't have the runs on the board. Physically I've always got to have my challenges, particularly after a couple of big injuries, and we've figured out what that looks like to keep myself together.

"If I can get a bit of help with looking after myself mentally, I'm determined to get there.

"I'm driven to play for as long as possible. I've learnt with all my injuries not to look too far ahead because I've been guilty of doing that in the past.

"If I can keep myself together and I enjoy my rugby, I'd look at that [2027 World Cup] as a target."